Water dispute should be on top of agenda

LAHORE - President Pakistan Muttahida Kisan Mahaz (PMKM) Ayub Khan Mayo has urged the federal government that water dispute should be on top of agenda after Kashmir issue during the bilateral foreign secretary level talks between the two South Asian giants to be held on February 25, 2010. He said that Pakistan is facing acute shortage of water due to Indias river water diversion plan, which has adversely impacted the farmers and made it difficult for them to keep their body and soul together. He also criticised the governments silence over Chenab River water 'piracy by India. According to a press release issued on Tuesday, he said that the Indo-Pak talks could only be successful if New Delhi sincerely discusses the core issues of Pakistan including water dispute and Kashmir. The Mahaz President further said that under the Indus Water Basin Treaty, India is required to release 16,000-cusec Chenab water to Pakistan whereas water flow at Head Marala has been reduced to only 5,000-cusec due to the construction of controversial Baglihar Dam in Occupied Kashmir. Drastic fall in Chenab water flow had resulted in closure of Marala Ravi Link, Upper Chenab and BRB canals, which irrigate about 75 percent fields in Punjab, he said. Ayub Mayo also said that the closure of three canals has created an acute shortage of water for Rabi crop, and wheat production is likely to fall drastically in Punjab. In addition to Kashmir dispute, the Indus River Basin has been an area of conflict between India and Pakistan for about four decades. Therefore, the government should take up this issue, which is vital for the survival of the country during the meeting, he demanded.